U. S. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas 1886 - 1873

Served in Indian Territory under Judge Parker.  Stationed at White Bead Hill, C.N., I.T.

Thomas was born in Athens, Georgia, on January 3, 1850, to Lovick and Martha Thomas. Reared and educated in Atlanta, he took on the nickname “Heck” at an early age. His parents wanted him to grow up to be a Methodist minister; however, the impetuous boy had other ideas.

When the Civil War broke out, his father and two of his paternal uncles quickly joined, and all three gained distinction with the Confederate Army. His father became a colonel commanding the 35th Georgia Infantry. His Uncle Henry also became a colonel and commanded the 16th Georgia Infantry, yet another uncle, Edward Lloyd Thomas, commanded the 49th Georgia Infantry.

Before the war was over, Edward Thomas advanced to Brigadier General’s rank in command of the Thomas brigade. For his Uncle Edward, Heck served as a courier at the front of the fighting in Virginia when he was just 12 years old.

When the war was over, Heck’s father became the first city marshal of Atlanta, and Heck joined the police force at 17. In 1871, Heck married his cousin, Isabelle Gray, an Atlanta preacher’s daughter, and the pair soon began a family. During his tenure as an Atlanta police officer, he began his career, gaining fame as a fearless fighter after being wounded in one of the city’s race riots.

Standing Left to right: Wess Bowman, ? Miller, John Tolbert, Bill Smith, Tom Johnson

Seated Left to right: Dave Rusk, Heck Bruner, Paden Tolbert, Charley Copeland, Gideon S White

U.S. Deputy Marshals